For six-year-old Eva, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, every small step is a victory. Just a few years ago, she suffered up to 100 seizures a day. Traditional treatments brought little relief. Only after starting therapy with medical cannabis, alongside other procedures, did her condition improve; some days she experiences no seizures at all.
When the family still lived in Ukraine, Eva's mother, Mia Nickel, had to purchase cannabis-based medicines abroad through intermediaries, often at high cost, between €500 and €1,000 a month, depending on dosage. With the full-scale war, such imports became nearly impossible. Relocating to Poland gave Eva's family stable access to the treatment she needs.
Ukrainian families continue to face barriers. After years of debate, Ukraine passed a law on medical cannabis in December 2023. The legislation came into force in August 2024; however, patients are still unable to purchase the drugs domestically.
The Ministry of Health notes that, although the legal framework is in place, the market itself is only just beginning to take shape. Pharmacies must obtain licenses, manufacturers need to grow and process raw material, and each product must go through certification.
As of August 2025, three cannabis-based medicines are officially registered, and more than 20 are under review. The State Medicines Service has issued the first permit for imports, while several Ukrainian companies are investing in local production facilities. At the same time, 24 businesses, including 12 pharmacies, have joined the electronic system to handle cannabis medicines, though full sales have not yet started.
Future distribution will involve strict controls. Pharmacies with manufacturing licenses will receive the active substance in bulk, then prepare individual prescriptions under secure conditions. Electronic prescriptions are already being issued, though few have been filled so far.
A list of conditions eligible for cannabis-based treatment has been approved, but post-traumatic stress disorder is not yet included. The Ministry of Health explains that the issue is under review, with attention to international experience.
Pricing remains uncertain. Officials emphasize that Ukrainian prices are usually lower than in Europe, and locally produced medicines could eventually reduce costs further. However, building compliant facilities requires multimillion-euro investments.
The Ministry of Health estimates that millions of patients in Ukraine could benefit once the system is operational. Advocates and families hope that by the end of 2025, medical cannabis will finally be available in pharmacies, turning the law on paper into real access to treatment.
In August 2025, Kyiv also hosted the Ukrainian Cannabis Forum, marking one year since legalization came into force. The event gathered pharmaceutical companies, investors, growers, regulators, and medical experts to discuss market prospects, quality standards, and international experience. During the forum, the State Expert Center presented new clinical guidelines on cannabis-based therapy, intended to help doctors apply treatments more effectively. The discussions highlighted both challenges and opportunities, confirming that the Ukrainian market is still in its early stages but continues to attract growing attention from domestic and international stakeholders.
Source: tsn.ua / www.zelenagazeta.com
